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Ocean conservation requires thinking beyond borders - Minister

The preservation of the oceans forces countries to think beyond tehir own sovereignty and jurisdiction, said the Portuguese Minister of the Sea, who promised a "robust and comprehensive" declaration of commitments out of the ministerial summit to be held on Friday in Lisbon.

Ana Paula Vitorino noted that "we depend on the oceans for our health and well-being," arguing that countries will only be able to clean up their own maritime areas if they act beyond them.

"We must have the courage to go further than cleaning our own backyard," she said, calling on the 70 delegations present to strive to achieve the international commitments their countries have made.

Vitorino also called for the creation of "blue societies" that can explore ocean resources without destroying them, either through over-exploitation, or the effects of pollution.

Portugal knows this well, she said, "97% of its territory is maritime space."

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